Earth Hour: Turning off the lights for one hour on Saturday, March 30, 2019

Earth Hour returns this Saturday, March 30, 2019, as organizers ask participants to turn off their lights for one hour.

This year’s Earth Hour takes place at 8:30 pm, your local time, wherever you may be. The event aims to bring awareness to environmental issues, such as climate change.

Earth Hour started as a lights-out event in Sydney in 2007. It has grown in stature over the years, as more than 180 countries and territories are now involved. More than 17,900 landmarks and monuments turned their lights off during last year’s event.

Below is a graph detailing some Earth Hour highlights featuring assorted data from around the globe.

Some cities do report on their electricity savings or reduced carbon emissions during the event, but as the website’s FAQ states:

“Earth hour does not claim that the event is an energy or carbon reduction exercise – it is a symbolic action. Therefore, we do not engage in the measurement of energy or carbon reduction levels. Earth Hour is an initiative to encourage individuals, businesses and governments around the world to take accountability for their ecological footprint and engage in dialogue and resource exchange that provides real solutions to our environmental challenges. Participation in Earth Hour symbolizes a commitment to change beyond the hour.”

#EarthHour is just around the corner! Are you ready for it? #Connect2Earth with us on 30th March 2019, 8:30PM your local time. pic.twitter.com/CaTk9LeWx3

— Earth Hour Official (@earthhour) March 29, 2019

You can turn your lights off at home, but if you’re interested in attending a local event, organizers have posted a map on the official website.